SPANH Team

Graduate Student, SPANH lab member since 2025.

Jani is a U.S. Army combat veteran and PhD student in Experimental Psychology in the SPANH Lab at North Dakota State University. Additionally, she graduated with honors from North Dakota State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a minor in Biological Sciences before beginning her doctoral studies. Her research interests include how biological, cognitive, and emotional processes interact in trauma and resilience, with a focus on quality of life, wellness, and psychophysiological mechanisms in veteran populations. Jani's long-term goal is to bridge scientific research with real-world applications that improve recovery and well-being for individuals living with trauma. Outside of academia, Jani is an avid weightlifter and outdoor enthusiast who enjoys creating opportunities for veterans to connect through wellness, camaraderie, and community.

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Student, NDSU Psychology Department Faculty Excellence Award 2026, NDSU College of Arts and Sciences First Year Experience Pilot Study Award, SPANH lab member since 2025. Amy is an undergrad psychology student hoping to pursue a PhD in clinical psychology and eventually work as a clinical psychologist. Her current research interests include understanding the psychology of the adoptee experience i.e. racial discrimination and identity formation and learning more about gut health in relation to mental health. In her free time, she likes to hike, travel, experiment with fashion, and hang out with friends.

SPANH Lab Member since 2025. Glenelyn is an undergraduate psychology major with double minors in chemistry and military science on the pre-dental track. She hopes to become a general dentist or periodontist and provide welcoming, accessible healthcare to her community. During her free time she enjoys hiking, traveling, exploring new foods, and spending time with friends and family.

NDSU EXPLORE Undergraduate Research Program 2026, NDSU Psychology Department Junior Research Award 2026, E.V. Estensen Scholarship for the most Outstanding Senior Psychology Major 2026, SPANH lab member since 2025. Alexa is a sophomore majoring in psychology and minoring in neuroscience with aspirations to be a neuropsychologist or something closely related. In her free time she enjoys reading, cycling, hammocking, and traveling! She is interested in learning more about trauma and its affect on brain development as well as degenerative diseases.

NDSU Psychology Department Outstanding Junior Research Award 2025, SPANH lab member since 2025. Jennifer is an undergraduate student majoring in Psychology with a minor in Neuroscience and Human Development and Family Science (HDFS). She aspires to be a clinical psychologist specializing in both therapy and research. In her free time, Jennifer enjoy spending time with her family, being outdoors, and practicing martial arts.

SPANH lab member since 2026. Isabelle is an undergraduate student majoring in Microbiology and minoring in Chemistry and Neuroscience. After graduating, she plans to attend medical school to become a neuropathologist. Isabelle is interested in how the brain affects behavior and habits. Her hobbies include sketching characters, learning to code video games, and cuddling with her cats.

NDSU Undergraduate Research Day 2nd Place Poster Award 2026, SPANH Lab Member since 2025. Hannah is a psychology major with a minor in neuroscience. After NDSU, she plans to achieve a master’s in social work, concentrating on clinical mental health specifically for children. She then plans to get a certificate in sports social work, so she can pursue both sports and children’s clinical social work. In her free time, Hannah likes to exercise, hangout with friends and family, and read.

SPANH lab member since 2025. Russi is an undergrad in Psychology student, minoring in philosophy. She wants to pursue a career in Cognitive Behavior therapy or Counseling. Russi really likes fashion, going on walks, listening to music, watching video essays, and playing psychological horror video games.

NDSU Undergraduate Research Day 2nd Place Poster Award 2026, SPANH lab member since 2025. Cora is a psychology major with a double minor in business administration and human development and family sciences. After NDSU, she is hoping to obtain either a PhD or a PsyD in clinical psychology but is not sure exactly what she wants to do in the field yet. In her free time, Cora likes to golf, travel, and read.

P.A. Beatty Scholarship for Outstanding Junior or Senior Psychology Majors 2026, SPANH lab member since 2025. Cherish is studying Psychology with a minor in Neuroscience. In the future she wants to get a PhD in either developmental psychology or neuropsychology. She interested in research about how certain events effect the brain and its makeup. In her free time Cherish likes to read, play sudoku, go for walks, and play with her dogs.